Another Ten Songs You May Not Know Are Covers: The Tide Is High (#2)

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It's nearing the end of the latest list of big hit singles that you may not have known were covers. And I saved the two "surprises," at least the ones I think might be the biggest surprises, for last. Here's today's classic song that was a cover. #2: The Tide Is High There may be others with greater critical success (Talking Heads) or "cult status" success (the Ramones), but the biggest commercial success that came from the legendary CBGB's club in New York was Blondie. Fronted by Debbie Harry, Blondie's third album, Parallel Lines, spawned the #1 hit "Heart of Glass" (thanks to its blend of dance-that-wasn't-disco and new wave) and set the band on its way to superstardom. Their third #1 hit was from Autoamerican, "The Tide Is High," in early 1981. That album also contained their fourth and final #1 song, "Rapture." (The second chart topper was "Call Me," from the film American Gigolo.) And, waddaya know, "The Tide Is High" is a cover. (Not all that new: Parallel Lines featured a Buddy Holly cover.) And, like a number of other songs in the countdown from the 80s, the origins go back to the 60s. A group called the Paragons, from Jamaica, originally did the song, which was written by member John Holt. Holt died in 2014 after a successful career as a solo artist and songwriter. His legacy is unquestionably this song, which is one of Blondie's greatest and most recognizable hits. The Tide Is High Written by John Holt Originally recorded by the Paragons, 1966 Famously covered by Blondie, 1980 I'm gonna be your number one: